Pence Walks Back Comment on Government Shutdown

Pence Walks Back Comment on Government Shutdown Created by kblakeslee on 10/4/2013 12:14:29 PM

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Gov. Mike Pence is tamping down his assertion earlier this week that a government shutdown is "worthwhile" to delay or defund the federal health care law.

Pence told the South Bend Tribune Tuesday that "efforts to delay the implementation of Obamacare and also efforts to reduce the negative impact of Obamacare on our economy are worthwhile." But Pence said Friday he meant that the key pieces of the health care law need work and did not mean he supported a shutdown.

Pence said his former colleagues in Washington should look for compromise on areas like repealing the medical device tax.

His clarification comes a day after U.S. Rep. Marlin Stutzman became a top target for Democrats after saying he was unsure what Republicans wanted from the continuing standoff.